The 30th Annual Stoddard Avenue Pumpkin Glow Hosted by Keller Williams Advisors in Partnership with the Grafton Hill Association
One of Dayton’s most beloved traditions enters its 30th year as the Stoddard Avenue Pumpkin Glow returns to the Stoddard Avenue hill behind Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, located at 500 Belmonte Park North in Dayton’s Grafton Hill neighborhood, on October 28th and 29th from 6-10 PM. Organizers encourage the community to not only attend the Glow but also to volunteer in the days leading up to the event to help gut, trace, and carve nearly 1,000 pumpkins.
Started in 1984 by Grafton Hill neighbor Judy Chaffin, lovingly known as “The Pumpkin Lady,” the event has grown from a modest display of 30 pumpkins to nearly 1,000 jack-o’-lanterns over the years.
“The Stoddard Avenue Pumpkin Glow represents the very best of this historic Dayton community, bringing together volunteers from across the region to create a spectacle unlike anything else in the area,” says David Moyer of Keller Williams Advisors, the 2024 Chair of the Glow. “Of course, we couldn’t do it without the hundreds of volunteers who show up days before the event to cut, carve, and trace pumpkins. When I saw the opportunity to help keep this event alive, it was a no-brainer—creating a strong sense of community is exactly what we do. There’s so much fun to be had during the process, and we make sure to provide food for volunteers throughout the day. Best of all, the event is always free and open to the public, and we intend to keep it that way.”
Parking will be available at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, the Dayton Art Institute, the Dayton Masonic Center, and throughout the neighborhood. Stoddard Avenue will be blocked off for the event and open to pedestrians, making it easy for everyone to enjoy the display. Food trucks from all over the greater Dayton area will be on-site again this year. We are also thrilled to welcome back the Friends of SICSA, who will have goodies available to benefit the SICSA Pet Adoption and Wellness Center, making this a true community affair. Be sure to stop by the tent at the top of the hill for some extra special surprises!
To volunteer, visit us online on Facebook or at www.graftonhill.org for more information. Volunteer dates include:
- Thursday, October 24th: Pumpkin Gutting
- Friday, October 25th and Saturday, October 26th: Tracing and carving
- Sunday, October 27th: Final Carving and Pumpkin placement on the hill
The pumpkins will be lit on Monday, October 28th, and open to the public from 6-10 PM, with the display open again on Tuesday, October 29th during the same hours.
SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER: https://bit.ly/4g4RsDc
FIND US ON FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/TheStoddardAvenuePumpkinGlow
This event is made possible thanks to the generous support of Kettering Health, the Charles D. Berry Foundation, NW Fidelity Title, Jessica Benge and The Benge Mortgage Team, Square One Salon and Spa, Joe Vichich of Rate Mortgage, and The Schray Team of Pillar to Post Home Inspections.
